Cory Wade

Cory Nathaniel Wade (born May 28, 1983) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.

Amateur career

Wade attended Broad Ripple High School.

Wade played both pitcher and shortstop at Kentucky Wesleyan College, the only college that recruited him. As a junior in 2004, he was 5-4 with a 2.39 earned run average (ERA) in 12 games (10 starts) while striking out 84 batters in innings.

Baseball career

Los Angeles Dodgers

Wade was selected in the 10th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the Dodgers organization, he pitched for the Gulf Coast Dodgers, Ogden Raptors, Columbus Catfish, Vero Beach Dodgers, Inland Empire 66ers, and Jacksonville Suns. He was selected to play in the South Atlantic League All-Star game in 2006.

In 2007, Wade played in the Arizona Fall League, he was also added to the Dodgers 40-man roster.

Wade made his major league debut on April 24, 2008, for the Dodgers, working one inning in relief against the Arizona Diamondbacks. During his rookie season, Wade allowed 51 hits in innings, and had a 2.27 ERA. By the 2008 postseason, Dodgers manager Joe Torre used Wade as his top setup pitcher, pitching Wade in the eighth inning.

He struggled in the 2009 season, with a 5.53 ERA in 27 games and was demoted to spend most of the season in AAA with the Albuquerque Isotopes. He underwent shoulder surgery in March 2010 and was placed on the 60-day disabled list to start the season. He was activated off the DL on July 1 and outrighted to AAA, removing him from the 40-man roster.

In 2010 with the Isotopes, Wade was 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA in 21 games.

Tampa Bay Rays

He signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2011 season, but was later granted his release in June. He had a 1.23 ERA in innings with the Rays Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls.

New York Yankees

On June 13, 2011, he signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. He was assigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. However, he had his contract purchased a day later. He made his first appearance with the NY Yankees in relief on June 15 against the Texas Rangers, pitching a scoreless inning, retiring all three batters he faced, striking out one. On June 16, he got the win in a 12 inning game when the Yankees defeated the Texas Rangers, retiring all six batters he faced in order.

Wade and the Yankees agreed to a one-year non-guaranteed deal worth approximately $500,000 on January 12, 2012. He was optioned to Triple-A on July 2, 2012 after the team activated Chad Qualls, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies. He was called up on September 1, 2012. The Yankees designated Wade for assignment following the regular season.

Toronto Blue Jays

Wade was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays on October 17, 2012. They designated him for assignment on November 20 and removed him from the 40 man roster. After clearing waivers, Wade refused an assignment to the Buffalo Bisons and became a free agent.

Chicago Cubs

On December 13, 2012, the Chicago Cubs signed Wade to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. He pitched for their Triple A affiliate Iowa Cubs before being released on May 6, 2013.

Tampa Bay Rays

On May 13, 2013, Wade signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent and was assigned to their Triple A team, Durham Bulls.

New York Mets

On August 31, 2013, Wade signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets.

Kansas City Royals

On November 14, 2013, Wade signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals. He was released on April 23, 2014.

Lancaster Barnstormers

After his release by the Royals, Wade signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in June 2014.

Pitching style

Wade's main pitches are a four-seam fastball that ranges from , a cutter that ranges from , a changeup that breaks away from left-handers and averages between , and a traditional 12-6 curveball that ranges from , that he uses more commonly against right-handers. Although he does not use them frequently, Wade also has a two-seam fastball and slider—both of which he uses mainly against right-handed hitters. Though he lacks the size and premium fastball velocity of the prototypical late-inning relief pitcher, Wade has above-average command and is adept at using his off-speed pitches to induce weak contact.

Post playing

In 2015, Wade was hired by the San Diego Padres as a scout.

Personal

Wade and his wife, Mikaela, have two kids, Amaya and Camden.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wade, Corey
1983 births
Living people
African-American baseball players
Albuquerque Isotopes players
Arizona League Dodgers players
Baseball players from Indianapolis
Columbus Catfish players
Durham Bulls players
Gulf Coast Dodgers players
Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino players
Iowa Cubs players
Jacksonville Suns players
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers baseball players
Lancaster Barnstormers players
Las Vegas 51s players
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Major League Baseball pitchers
New York Yankees players
Ogden Raptors players
San Diego Padres scouts
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees players
Vero Beach Dodgers players
21st-century African-American sportspeople
20th-century African-American people